Volunteer Stories

India@75's vision to create a national volunteering platform, brings together non-profits in need of skilled volunteers & corporate who have professionals willing to offer their skills on a pro bono basis.

It was a unique and exceptional experience working with the Literacy India folks. We got a firsthand experience of how a recycled paper is made. On the occasion of World Environment Day, we took this opportunity to make people aware of how a person in a small village in association with an organization like Literacy India, is contributing towards a better and clean environment. This documentary was aimed to highlight upon the various processes involved in the making of recycled paper.

It was a combined effort made by the people at Literacy India & Indha Crafts. It was the profound guidance and support of Mr. Satya Prakash which helped us throughout. His passion motivated us enormously to make a greater impact through our documentary. But this would not have been possible without the overwhelming participation and enthusiasm of the people working at the plant. A heartfelt thanks to the ladies: Rajbala, Mamta, Jagwati & Umvati who appeared in the video. Overall it was a delightful experience and we would love to work with them if an opportunity comes up in future.

Why we helped and how we felt after completing the job?

The people working at the plant were thrilled when they came to know that they will be featured in the video. It was a fun day for them as they got a break from their regular work and were involved in a recreational activity. The energy and dedication that people showed while working is worthy of appreciation. There was a sense of achievement and contentment in the whole team: people on the screen and behind the screen after the completion of the video.

Puneet Narula (Director Strategy, Asia Pacific- Tupperware)

I am a Chartered Accountant, by profession. Using financial tools comes naturally to me, which I used to help Literacy India.

Literacy India wanted to assess the right cost of the paper being manufactured so that they could price the finished products in the right and profitable manner. I studied the entire cost structure of manufacturing paper by Literacy India and helped them do the costing correctly.

Further, Indha wanted to have a "Pay for Performance" structure for their team who were responsible for making their various products. I had designed many incentive schemes for Tupperware. We designed a scheme which will motivate and drive all the artisans and centre heads towards higher performance and delivery.

Why did I do this and How did I feel?

It is always a very satisfying experience to be associated with Literacy India and their team. One does work for oneself all the time. However working with Literacy India does a much larger good for many people and society in general. Literacy India is a great place where lives of people change for the better. It is a pleasure, privilege and honor to be a part of that movement, even if my role is small.

My message to the Corporate World:

I think everyone should come forward to listen to their inner voice and go out and work with Literacy India or any good NGO. The feeling of satisfaction which comes is immense and cannot be explained with words.